8.1 SR 10-18-2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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GRE Plant Reuse The decommissioned GRE Power Plant site, located on the Mississippi riverfront between Highway 10 and Highway 169, provides a unique opportunity for business park devel- opment. The site is currently divided by the BNSF railroad, creating two plots, one east and one west of the rail line. The eastern portion of the site is anticipated to continue operation with the installation of a combustion turbine by 2022 while the western portion of the site hosts the majority of the business operations for the facility. If GRE were to relinquish ownership of the western portion of the site, the city should encourage business park uses as it has vehicular access off Highway 10, would provide desirable waterfront views to tenants, and would be compatible with the heavy industrial uses to the east and residential uses to the north. New development in this area should also provide pedestrian access to Babcock Memorial Park and the Mississippi River. Business Park The city has the opportunity to become a hub for business and commerce in the region as it is already well positioned at the confluence of multiple major highway routes and Minneapolis regional rail. To support and make the city more attractive to employers and sectors with higher wage jobs, the city should encourage business park uses at stra- tegic locations along Highway 169 and Highway 10 that can leverage views of the Mississippi River and natural ameni- ties like the extensive tree canopy and wetland habitats found throughout the city. Further, business park develop- ment should utilize low impact design and conservation design to preserve these natural amenities and create attractive campuses that showcase Elk River's natural assets. Business park developments should be utilized as a transitional use between higher intensity industrial and other lower intensity uses such as residential neighbor- hoods in the city. Support Artisan Manufacturing To make room for artisan manufacturing, live -work spaces many municipalities such as Nashville, TN, and Indianap- olis, IN, have developed innovative zoning code amend- ments that create clear categories for arts and culture -re- lated uses (such as small batch production of textiles) and removed barriers and special permit requirements for artisan and micro -businesses. To support artisan manu- facturing in Elk River, the city should assess and update the I-1 Light Industrial Zoning District to permit artisan manu- facturing that allows live -work spaces as a permitted use. Establish an Incubator Space The city should work with regional partners such as the University of Minnesota, Cargill, Great River Energy, Sportech Inc, and Medtronic to establish an incubator in Elk River to support researchers who want to bring new technology to market. The city should model the incubator space off of the University of Minnesota Venture Center and provide a robust system of support, partnerships, and programming to allow startups to establish themselves in the city when they have graduated from the incubator stage. Make Development Fees Competitive To ensure the City of Elk River remains competitive to neighboring communities in attracting business park development and other desired types of commercial development, the city should consider an assessment of its development fee schedule. This assessment should include a review of the city's current development fees as compared to peer communities such as Maple Grove, Otsego, and Ramsey to see how the cost to develop in Elk River ranks in the region. The city should then routinely update its fees so they stay competitive with these peer communities to entice investment and attract businesses to Elk River. Elk River Comprehensive Plan • Economic Development Plan 07CL\arri]C1C1MAIMAM9701Wo 73